Interview with Mary Haskett
Mary Haskett
Award-winning Author
We have the distinct pleasure of interviewing a unique award-winning author Mary Haskett. She has been awarded an Independent Publishers' Award (IPPY) award in the United States and also shortlisted by The Word Guild of Canada. Mary has written several books, articles, devotionals and short stories. Today, we will be discussing her new novel, Journey to Joy: A Wartime Novel of Love and Redemption. Mary, welcome to Nicole Connects Creatives!
Mary, for our new readers, would you provide a brief overview of your novel, Journey to Joy: A Wartime Novel of Love and Redemption?
Mary's response: The story is set in the south of England in WW11. Martin is a German prisoner of war and is put to work on a farm. Sarah Creswell is one of three English girls assigned to the same farm. The attraction between the two is undeniable, but Sarah wonders if she could ever love a man who fought against her country.
What inspired you to write a wartime novel of love and redemption?
Mary's Response: I was a child during the war, and often shared stories with my children of life during that period. I recall in the years of attending The Word Guild of Canada conferences, an instructor saying, "Write about what you know." Some of what I experienced is in the novel, mind you I had to do a lot of research and learnt a whole lot more about life during that period.
Mary, where were you born and raised?
Mary's Response: I was born in England and was an unwanted pregnancy. A Reverend Mother heard about my plight and took me into her convent. She had a home for the elderly, and later, with my arrival started a home for children. She encouraged me to become a registered nurse.
Your book cover has several diverse elements. Would you share your book cover design consideration for this book?
Mary's Response: It was an interesting process. Roseanna White was my designer, and my children and a few friends gave me feedback as we looked at designs Roseanna came up with. My daughter thought there should be something in the cover depicting the time, hence the plans. The couple depict a couple of the 1940s.
When you wrote this novel, a Journey to Joy: A Wartime Novel of Love and Redemption, what inspired you to use the words joy and redemption?
Mary's Response: Interestingly the original title was The Conflict Within. Sara Daison, an award winning writer several times over suggested I should rethink the title. Since friends had given me feedback on the manuscript, I put it out to them to come up with a title. You wouldn't believe how many I considered. My friend Theresea came up with the title. As soon as I read it, I said yes! That's it. After all it is just that a story of love and redemption.
Having completed a novel writing project, what types of people do you have in your writing team? Please explain.
Mary's Response: Sara Davison, my editor and Janet Sketchley who was so kind and helpful. Her feedback caused me to delete the first seven chapters and start again. As well as several friends who gave me valuable feedback..
After reading your novel, Journey to Joy: A Wartime Novel of Love and Redemption, what message do you wish to leave with the reader?
Mary's Response: That love can work wonders in a person's life and soften a person's perspective of how life can be, when love is a driving force.
Mary, thank you for sharing and for being available for this interview.
Mary's Response: Thank you Nicole, and thank you for your kindness and encouragement.
